There has been coordinated preparation efforts taking place in multiple organizations throughout the county.
March 12, 2020 - JOINT INFORMATION MEETING - COMMUNITY RESPONSE & PREPAREDNESS
Town Council and County Commissioners received updates from representatives from the Teton County Health Department, St. John’s Health, Jackson Hole Fire/EMS, Jackson Police, the Teton County School District and Teton County Emergency Management. Public comment was provided by representatives of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, Snow King Mountain Resort, the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board, as well as various businesses and community members.
Please CLICK HERE to watch the meeting. This recording of this meeting is archived on the Town of Jackson’s website.
ST. JOHN’S HEALTH INFORMATION - PHONE EVALUATION INFORMATION
Beginning Wednesday, March 11, St. John’s Health is asking that individuals with fever, cough, or influenza-like illness, regardless of travel history, call 307-739-4898, option 3, for a phone evaluation. To help contain the spread of COVID-19 in our community, you should NOT visit to St. John’s Health clinics or hospital unless directed in the phone evaluation to do so. Health professionals on the call-line can discuss your symptoms with you and address many concerns over the phone to determine if self-care at home, medical attention, or testing, is warranted. You should also call the St.John’s Health COVID-19 line for a phone evaluation if you have had close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you have traveled within the last 14 days to a country with widespread sustained transmission. The call-line will be staffed Monday–Friday, 8:30 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday–Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
CLICK HERE to visit the St. John’s Health dedicated corona virus website.
TETON COUNTY COVID-19 HOTLINE
The Teton County Health Department activated a Hotline for members of the public to access information on COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus. The automated system is operational 24-hours a day and will provide callers with local updates, steps to prevent the spread of the disease, and what to do if individuals have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms.
TC Health Department COVID-19 Hotline: 1-307-732-8628
TETON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATE
At the Joint Information Meeting (JIM) on Monday, March 2nd, Jodi Pond, the Director of Health at the TC Health Department, along with Dr. Paul Beaupre, CEO of St. John’s Health, addressed the Town Council and County Commissioners - providing the elects with an update on the topic. . The JIM meeting can be viewed on the Town of Jackson’s website which can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
MESSAGE FROM MAYOR PETE MULDOON
As most of you likely know, there is a global outbreak of a virus called COVID-19. The Town of Jackson is taking many steps to ensure a strategic response to the virus if it arrives in Wyoming. Currently, there have been no reported cases in Wyoming and the immediate risk to Town residents from the disease remains low. However, it is becoming increasingly likely that COVID-19 will eventually spread to Wyoming. The Town is working with the Health Department, Wyoming Department of Health, St. John’s Health, and many other local partners throughout the county to prepare for possible cases. Led by the Health Department, this group of agencies is prepared with the county-wide Incident Command System to ensure effective communication and coordination should the virus arrive in our area.
Most of us do all we can to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy. As we watch COVID-19 spreading across the globe, we are worried about our families and our community. This virus is revealing the interconnectedness of our world. It shows, conclusively, that our health and well-being is intimately bound to the health and well-being of our entire community. Our fates are intertwined and we need to work together to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. Now is the time for action.
It is our responsibility to come together to protect the lives of those around us by limiting the spread of this disease as much as possible. As individuals, we can wash our hands and check in on our neighbors. We can stay home from work and public places when we feel sick. As a collective, we can make sure that Town and County agencies are as prepared as possible and are making appropriate decisions about large gatherings that are scheduled to occur. With this in mind, the Town and County have scheduled a special Joint Information Meeting to discuss the COVID-19 Virus and potential implications to large community events in the Town of Jackson and Teton County.
TETON COUNTY PRESS RELEASES
PERSONAL PROTECTION MEASURES
Individuals can take the following steps to help prevent the spread of the disease:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs. A list of COVID19-fighting products can be found HERE: • Avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Prepare your household with an emergency plan and supplies. Guidance can be found HERE: • To prevent influenza and possible unnecessary evaluation for COVID-19, all persons aged six months or older should receive an annual influenza vaccine if they have not done so already.
SPRING BREAK TRAVEL INFORMATION
With spring break approaching, residents should pay close attention to special travel recommendations from CDC, which can be found HERE.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL CURRENT INFORMATION
With additional concerns regarding the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), there are practices that we all must take to prevent the spread of any flu-like illness. The CDC has a lot of great resources, including both personal practices that everyone should take to prevent the spread, as well as practices that businesses should take. Share these resources with your friends, family and at your workplace. Please take a look at these resources.